SAP, Microsoft Develop Linking Product

FRANKFURT, Germany – SAP AG and Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday that they have developed a new product to link their business software programs.

The companies said the initiative – dubbed “Mendocino” – would help companies change the way their workers access information and analyze data.

Under the project, announced in a statement from New York, SAP software will be linked to Microsoft’s ubiquitous Office suite, letting users funnel data from SAP software through Microsoft.

“Mendocino” is designed to integrate SAP processes, such as time management, budget monitoring, travel and expense management, directly into Microsoft Office.

The program is set to be released to customers during the fourth quarter of 2005, the companies said.

So far, Germany’s Siemens VDO has said it would use the product.

“The creation of this powerful new joint product builds on SAP’s 15-year strategic relationship with Microsoft,” said Shai Agassi, president of the Product and Technology Group and member of the Executive Board of SAP.